[Metatron]

If PDAs were inexpensive and everyone had a need for one then they would have seen the same massive growth that mobile phones did, and would likely have had call capabilities added a long time ago.

But PDAs are niche, and expensive. Mobile phones offered utility to everyone, we all loved the concept of being able to make calls form everywhere. And it could be done inexpensively, the device was simple once the infrastructure was built. Then because of this phones entered a features war, and PDA technology and features got absorbed. Nobody manipulated anybody, nobody said we should market phones as PDAs. It was just the natural progression of a highly competitive market.

If anything the driving force was the demands of the consumer, manipulating the industry into a startling pace of technological adaptation to remain competitive. Modern civilisation has it good, real good. Not because of a shrewd marketing move, but because when enough people like something that something has to evolve to keep up with our demands. PDAs never saw that attention.

[seanhandley]

I think it's much more a case of marketing driving perception, and thus creating new markets to supply. But then that's evident from the article, I guess.